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20+ Animals Burned Alive In Pennsylvania Wildlife Refuge Center Fire: Report

Over 20 animals at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Schuylkill County were killed in a fire early on Monday, Dec. 5, according to a report by WFMZ

Over 20 animals at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Schuylkill County were killed in a fire early on Monday, Dec. 5, according to a report by WFMZ.

Over 20 animals at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Schuylkill County were killed in a fire early on Monday, Dec. 5, according to a report by WFMZ.

Photo Credit: Pine Grove Hose Hook and Ladder Fire Company #1

The blaze broke out at the main clinic building of the Red Creek Wildlife Center in Wayne Township at around 8 a.m., the report says. A refuge employee told the outlet that every animal in the building perished in the fire. 

In a statement on its official Facebook page, Red Creek described the fire as "catastrophic" and said the building was totally destroyed. 

All of the animals killed in the fire — which included birds, porcupines, possums, snakes, and tortoises, per WFMZ — were under temporary medical care, the Center added. The resident animals housed elsewhere on the property survived, they added. 

Refuge management said the blaze is still under investigation, but WFMZ reported the fire had already been ruled accidental by Monday afternoon. 

The Red Creek Wildlife Center, which claims to treat approximately 4,000 animals each year, says it is working with other Pennsylvania animal welfare groups to obtain the food and medicine needed for its surviving animals. 

Before the fire, the organization was already planning to break ground on a new facility in 2023, representatives said on Facebook. 

Click here for the full report from WFMZ. 

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